A statement on the official Chelsea website read: "Chelsea have lodged an appeal against Marcel Desailly's three-match European ban, handed out by UEFA for an elbow on Fernando Morientes in the Champions League semi-final first leg in Monaco."
"The appeal went in before the deadline of midnight on Monday and will be heard on Friday so the outcome will be known before Monaco's visit to Stamford Bridge."
If the way he played against Newcastle is anything to go by, the ban could prove to be a blessing in disguise- although not if William Gallas can't get his fitness back up!!